Claude Makelele reckons N’Golo Kante is so good he should have the defensive midfield position named after him

Kante was in stunning form during his debut Chelsea season, helping Antonio Conte’s men win the title while scooping a number of top individual awards.

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And there is no doubt the France international is now one of the best in the business, with Makelele telling Chelsea’s official site: “People talk about the Makelele position, but I am old and it is time everybody called it the Kante position. N’Golo deserves that.

“Every time I watch N’Golo, I see so much desire from him, so much focus and so much determination to make himself a better player with every game.

“He was the heartbeat of the Leicester team, but it was also like taking a bulldog for a walk, you had to keep pulling him back because he had so much energy.

“Now N’Golo has added intelligence. He appreciates the position of his team-mates more and how to play in a more sophisticated system where it is not all about running and tackling, but the decision he makes.

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'About time'

Kante has enjoyed a spectacular season, winning the title and various individual awards

“Some players are meant to be superstars, but some – like N’Golo and myself – must be happy making other people look good.

“Next season we will see him become even better because he will have the challenge of the Champions League. He is also part of a fantastic generation of young players coming through for France, which will also see him develop.”